“Run for the Roses” Lyrical Challenge #2

We must all ‘run for the roses’. We can all be champions in our own way. We must take that chance, the chance of a lifetime, in a lifetime of chance. We must join in the dance. This is my second response to the Three Day Lyrical Challenge. Watch the video and you will see the lyrics on the video.

This is a wonderful song about Thoroughbred race horses growing up and running in the Kentucky Derby; the Run for the Roses. Here is some background to the ‘roses’ from kentuckyderby.com

1896 – The rose garland first appeared when the winner, Ben Brush, received a floral arrangement of white and pink roses

1904 – The red rose became the official flower of the Kentucky Derby

1925 – New York sports columnist Bill Corum famously dubbed the Kentucky Derby the “Run for the Roses®.”

1932 – The garland as it exists today was first introduced for the 58th running, won by Burgoo King

Each year, a garland of more than 400 red roses is sewn into a green satin backing with the seal of the Commonwealth on one end and the Twin Spires and number of the race’s current renewal on the other. Each garland is also adorned with a “crown” of roses, green fern and ribbon. The “crown,” a single rose pointing upward in the center of the garland, symbolizes the struggle and heart necessary to reach the Derby Winner’s Circle.

The Kroger Company has been crafting the garland for the Kentucky Derby since 1987. After taking over the duties from the Kingsley Walker florist, Kroger began constructing the prestigious garland in one of its local stores for the public to view on Derby Eve.

I chose this song because I think it speaks to all of us, not only the horses and the jockeys. The lines that speak most to me are: “It’s the chance of a lifetime, in a lifetime of chance.”

In all of our lives, no matter our circumstances, we have chance, we have a race to run and a chance to run for those roses. So we must step up and “join in the dance.”

I would like to nominate three bloggers to take up the Lyrical Challenge if they would like to do so.

I encourage you to click on the link and read the beautiful post he put up two days ago. Jeff has a wonderful sense of humor, and is a compassionate and empathetic human being. The post I have linked to is a perfect fit for the “run for the roses.”

Ray writes about pretty much everything and anything. She also does book reviews that do not follow the normal “book review” format and are therefore much more engaging and entertaining. For facts, fun and frivolity go to see Ray’s blog.

Heather is a young woman living with MS (Multiple Sclerosis). Her blog features inspirational thoughts , practical tips for living with chronic illness or just getting through day to day life for anyone. Her little mascot Dizzy ( a knitted donkey) is the star of all the photos.

I will be back tomorrow, or the next day, with my final selection of lyrics and thoughts and three more great bloggers for you to check out.